Contact Officer:

Fleur Keast, [email protected] or on 02 6136 8766

Closing Date:

11.59pm AEDT, Sunday 22 November 2026

We actively seek to reflect the diversity of the Australian community in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and/or who are neurodivergent, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including people of all genders and gender identities. We uphold gender equality as a core organisational value. If you’re interested in the role but feel uncertain, we still encourage you to apply if you feel your passions, transferable skills and valuable experience align with this position.

The opportunity we have available

The Airports Environment Branch is responsible for regulating environmental management at federally leased airports and delivering the government’s Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Airports Investigation Program (the Program) through its PFAS Taskforce.

The Environmental Regulations Section regulates environmental management at 20 federally leased airports and members of our team are located all around Australia. Airport Environment Officers (AEOs) are authorised officers who exercise regulatory functions under the Airports Act 1996, the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 2026 (the Regulations), and the Airports (Environment Protection) Regulations 1997 (the 1997 Regulations), monitor the implementation of Airport Environment Strategies, and liaise with Airport Lessee Companies and their tenants on environmental issues, working closely with Airport Building Controllers. The AEOs are supported to carry out their regulatory functions by EL1 Hub Managers (Vic/Tas, WA/SA, QLD/NT and NSW/ACT) and a Network Coordination support team, where this position sits, that provides financial, administrative, corporate and legal policy support. In addition, the AEO Network is supported by the Environment Regulatory Support team, which provides Compliance and Governance support.

The Environmental Regulation Section is an inclusive, dedicated, forward-thinking team that has a vacancy available for a Network Support Officer at the APS5 level. AEOs work as a nationwide network of environmental scientists and engineers, supporting each other to delivery regulatory outcomes that are evidence-based, robust, defensible and consistent. All our team members are energetic and autonomous with an agile mindset that values effective communications with internal and external stakeholders.

What you will do

You will contribute administrative advice and support for AEOs and undertake detailed financial tasks on behalf of the section, under the supervision of an Assistant Director. The role is varied and dynamic, but key duties of the position includes:

- First level support to AEOs for administrative, travel, logistics, and departmental policy queries.
- Undertake annual cost estimates process, projecting, calculating, and manipulating data to establish AEO costs for the provision of the AEO function at 19 leased federal airports.
- Complete annual cost recovery process, analysing and apportioning data to determine the total, actual costs of providing the AEO function for 19 leased federal airports.
- Recruitment support including onboarding and exit processes for AEOs.
- Support contract management, monitor contract performance, process monthly invoices, and run reports and investigations to meet our contractual and financial obligations.
- Develop monthly accrual reports and support budget forecasting and accruals processes.
- Help to develop and maintain key process guideline documents.
- Coordination support to AEOs to deliver Annual Environment Reports.
- Support the coordination and event management of the annual AEO Conference in Canberra.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders including the AEO Network members and corporate teams including ASU and Finance Operations.
- Recommend strategic directions for AEO coordination that considers the broader context.
- Under supervision, coordinate and prepare input and responses to corporate tasking.
- Under supervision, prepare policy-related documents, including talking points, correspondence to stakeholders, and briefing papers.

Inherent requirements for the role

The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the APS5 Work level standards. As an APS5 Network Support Officer, you will ideally have:

- Experience in stakeholder management, including coordinating a remote-working team.




- Ability to nurture productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Assist in the management of corporate functions including human resources, procurement, contract management, property, information technology security and finances.
- Experience in finance and strong Excel skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills and an interest in policy development, including drafting clear and influential briefing papers for senior managers
- Work under limited guidance and within a team, using initiative and raising complex issues with team leaders.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment to make decisions and solve moderately complex issues.
- Consider and effectively manage competing priorities and strategic directions.
- Demonstrate resilience and the ability to deal with ambiguity, complexity and change.
- High attention to detail.

RecruitAbility

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability. Our participation in APS RecruitAbility means we will progress an applicant with disability to a further stage in the recruitment process, where they opt into RecruitAbility and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy.

The RecruitAbility minimum requirements are listed above under ‘inherent requirements for the role’.

You will be asked to indicate if you wish to opt into RecruitAbility in the application form. You must tick the 'opt in' box to participate in RecruitAbility. Simply declaring that you have a disability will not automatically include you.

We provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical support at relevant stages of the recruitment process. Please advise in the application form or get in touch with the contact officer if you need any adjustments made.

More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.

Cultural capability requirement

The department believes every role contributes to cultural safety and that building staff cultural capability helps us deliver better policies, programs and services for First Nations people and the broader Australian community. Candidates will be required to demonstrate their willingness to develop their cultural capability as part of the assessment process. In making it a requirement across all roles in our department, we are taking a practical step in delivering our commitments under the Our Stories on Country Agreement and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28.

As an APS5 you will be expected to:

- Consider the cultural context and implications of work area outcomes.
- Engage respectfully with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, building trusted relationships.
- Communicate respectfully and seek appropriate cultural input to inform decisions.

What else can we offer?

A role in the Airports Environment Branch offers the opportunity to work on a diverse range of challenges facing the airports sector in a collegiate and collaborative workspace.

We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to explore new skill sets and discover whether they are most passionate about finance, administration or stakeholder relations and network support. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the perks we offer include:

- Access to our study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
- Through our investment in learning and development opportunities, and a positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
- Improve your leadership skills, through the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
- Flexible working opportunities, including part time hours, home based work and job sharing.




- We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month’s accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.

Join our department and embark on a journey of growth, fulfillment, and well-being. Experience personal and professional development, prioritise your health, and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

- Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
- Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
- Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Clearance level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
- Police check: The successful candidate must complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
- Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.

How to apply

Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEDT, Sunday 22 November 2026.

Prior to preparing your application for the department, please read our Artificial intelligence (AI) in recruitment at the department principles. The principles aim to help you use AI in a way that supports your application and maintains fairness and transparency while maintaining your integrity as a candidate. They outline what is and isn’t acceptable use of AI in APS recruitment.

In applying for this position, you are not required to address individual selection criteria. Rather, you should provide in a PDF document a statement of no more than 1 page outlining your background, capabilities and experiences and how these align with the advertised role.

You should also provide a tailored CV in PDF format, no more than 2 pages. The capabilities and behaviours required to be successful for this role are identified in the ‘inherent requirements for the role’ section.

Your application should be received through the department’s online recruitment system prior to the closing date and time to be considered.

If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on 02 6136 8989 or via email at [email protected] to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.

Please advise the contact officer if you require adjustments during the recruitment process. We recognise and value diversity as our strength and promote a culture of inclusion to enhance our work performance and the wellbeing of our employees. We are committed to systems that are accessible, inclusive and secure for all. If you need any further information about accessibility and inclusion at our department, please contact [email protected].

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.

If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.

Applications open: 11 November 2026
Applications close: 22 November 2026
Application shortlisting: week starting from 23 November 2026
Further assessments: week starting from 30 November 2026
Selection report finalised: 14 December 2026
Offers and announcements: 18 December 2026

The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.

Your application will be assessed against the inherent requirements of the role, the Work level standards and in comparison to other candidates who applied. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants. If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews and reference checks.

Work with us. Apply now!

📌 Network Support Officer, Airports Environment Branch (Canberra)
🏢 Australian Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development
📍 Canberra